National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Securing the NDIS for Future Generations) Bill 2026

Submission 4062

My name is Maria Hristov and I am the sole parent to my 24-year-old daughter with autism and associated mental health difficulties. My daughter lives with me as her impairments are not considered serious enough to live in a SIL nor does she have the skills to move out of home to live independently. This being the case, she relies heavily on NDIS to be able to leave the house and participate in community activities.

She aspires to becoming a professional visual artist. Unable to cope with attendance at TAFE, she relies heavily on access to services from Maiwel and Hireup to build professional skills and be mentored by qualifies artists.

She is also able to go grocery shopping, visit galleries and see live shows.

Being able to do everyday things like go to a café and be with people are simple pleasures that contribute to her overall happiness and wellbeing. They require her to select appropriate attire, see how to behave in a public space and practice conversation skills.

If Caitlin did not have support to leave the house, she would stay in her room and not go anywhere. Her mental health and interest in life would deteriorate without this support.

I am getting older and do not have the personal resources to cope living with a young adult who refuses to leave the house.

This legislation will place more burdens on me and my own health will deteriorate, as my health was really suffering trying to do everything pre-NDIS. I could not go to work and we were suffering economically.

Please consider the impact of this bill on people with disabilities from a human rights perspective, as these individuals deserve to have quality of life.

Maria Hristov

I give permission for my details to be published.